Sonos Architectural Gallery

Sonos is best known for its standalone connected speakers, but that's not all the company does, however. Its built-in speaker range, Sonos Architectural, is gaining traction in a space that's still pretty unfamiliar to mainstream users. Professional installation isn't new in the AV scene, but there're still preconceptions about just how attainable it is.

The core of a Sonos Architectural installation is the Sonos Amp. Launched in 2019, it's a fairly nondescript black box. Like the Sonos One, it has touch sensitive controls for playback and volume, but inside there's an amplifier with 125W per channel. You can run multiple sets of speakers off the banana plugs on the back, and it'll work with the Sonos SUB or any other subwoofer. An HDMI connects with a TV using HDMI ARC. You also get AirPlay 2 streaming, and support for all the same music services any other Sonos speaker supports.

For its Sonos Architectural speakers, Sonos partnered with specialist Sonance. As well as ceiling models there are in-wall and outdoor versions. While an Amp can drive any speakers, the Sonance models are the only ones which work with Trueplay: Sonos' auto-tuning system can take into account weirdly shaped rooms or reflective surfaces.